I love your design! There is a plethora of bike generators out there but in my mind, yours is the most elegant. That being said, I'm having an issue with my setup which is basically a copy of yours. I have a 320kv, three phase, AC motor from an electric skateboard and a very similar trainer for a road bike. On the DC output of my bridge rectifier, I have an incandescent bulb. When pedaling at the equivalent of 15 mph, I see a very dull glow on the bulb. I've measured a meager 0.5 amps at 14 volts at the output A clamp ammeter on each phase of the generator on the AC side, only measures about 0.2 amps. Any ideas as to what is wrong? Thanks in advance!
@GenesGreenMachine16 күн бұрын
Thanks for the kind words! I would suggest checking the connection at the rectifier and the AC wires to the generator. What gauge wire are you using? 12 or 14 gauge should be sufficient.
@zwettles14 күн бұрын
@@GenesGreenMachine I'm using 14-gauge wires between the generator and the rectifier. I've checked and double checked the connections. At this point I've decided to replace the motor with a more costly one with the same specs. (I'm wondering if per chance the original motor had inferior permanent magnets.) The new motor will arrive shortly. I'm hoping that I will get acceptable power out of it when used as a generator. I have a couple other ideas that I wanted to bounce off of you: My bike trainer/generator setup is situated in front of a high-def TV so that I can watch bicycling videos while riding. I would like to try to coordinate changes in grade on the video with effort and ergonomics changes on my bike trainer/generator. Firstly, I've cannibalized the pitch motor from a treadmill. I would like to place the pitch motor under the front wheel of my road bike and command it to reflect the grade. Secondly, I'm using an MPPT charge controller between the rectifier and my LiFePo4 battery. I have found that by modifying the current level out of the charge controller, I can change the perceived pedaling effort while still charging my battery.
@zwettlesКүн бұрын
I have 'rectified' my problem. Originally, I was using a solar MPPT charge controller between the three-phase bridge rectifier and my LiFiPo4 battery. (This same setup worked fine with my rowing machine generator, which uses a repurposed DC motor from a treadmill. All DC, no rectifier of course...) I replaced the solar MPPT charge controller with a DC-DC Buck Converter like the one you used, and my bike generator works beautifully. (I still don't quite understand why the MPPT charge controller didn't work...) Cheers
@sambsialia2 ай бұрын
Can you add charge to a lithium battery that is part of a home solar power system? My real question, is can you power a normal 220v well pump, like in a grid down situation?
@GenesGreenMachine2 ай бұрын
Yes, with the right voltage motor/generator you can charge a home solar battery. No - you would not be able to directly power a 220v pump, although you could charge the battery that goes to the inverter that powers the pump. I hope that helps!
@alexanderkosowski33573 ай бұрын
Where can I find the dinensions of the wooden parts? Jim Flood‘s Website seems to be offline.
@GenesGreenMachine3 ай бұрын
Well what do you know - seems Jim Flood's web is completely gone. Try here: worldrowing.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Mark6instructions_English.pdf or www.scribd.com/presentation/517981367/Openergo1 or try emailing Jim at [email protected]
@stevenpleasant58343 ай бұрын
Hi, very cool build you did just to let you know it is not the watts that made the fuse blow it is the voltage input to the converter they only take 12 or 13.8 volt you over powered it put a buck converter inline and adjust the out put voltage to 13.8 and you will be good to use it.
@STEM-ll9mc6 ай бұрын
You mention the flywheel plays some role, but to be fair I think for a more valid comparison, you need to create a flywheel for your bike trainer. I intend to add automotive wheel weights (5 grams and 10 grams) which come with adhesive placed on one side, to make attachment to the rear wheel rim 'firm' ! Unsure how many I might use yet, but will consider stacking them for increased weight, depending on how good the adhesive is. They are supplied in strips in a box. It seems worth a try in the circumstances, but perhaps by now you have found suitable rim weights and tried creating your flywheel. 🚲
@GenesGreenMachine6 ай бұрын
That’s an interesting idea! Please report back here it goes. I had also thought about filling the tube with water 🤪 but never tried.
@STEM-ll9mc2 ай бұрын
@@GenesGreenMachine Hi gene, - I filled the inner tube with water and correct ratio of Anti-freeze as equipment in my garage. As expected it provided a large improvement to the wheel inertia and worked well, but anti-freeze found to be corrosive to inner tube repair patch over time. 😥 Continuing with half the Anti-freeze content.
@GenesGreenMachineАй бұрын
@@STEM-ll9mc Thanks for reporting back! I have been curious if that approach would be effective. Good thought on adding anti-freeze.
@xyz.bunny-rabbit12347 ай бұрын
I wanna build a generator same as you. Or I wanna buy this,,, How I can buy,,??
@GenesGreenMachine7 ай бұрын
I should start building and selling these 🙂 My e-bike motor + spin bike design is the most efficient, I’d suggest building that
@m3s69ll8 ай бұрын
are you still working on your website and generator project? I went to the website but it's down. I am hoping to run an idea by you.
@GenesGreenMachine8 ай бұрын
I still use my generator, but have other projects taking up my time. Email me your idea and I can get back to you. Yes, site is down. [email protected]
@davidq11648 ай бұрын
The trainer shaft rpm is a bit hard for me to follow initially. Think this formula is easier for people like me: 15mph=24kmph=400mper minute 400mpm / shaft circumference 94mm=4246rpm
@shawwoodworkingdiy8 ай бұрын
Hi there bro... just found ur channel, how are the PVC handles holding up? Im a little bit worried about the plastic, it didnt wear out over time? How they holding up?
@GenesGreenMachine8 ай бұрын
I didn’t use PVC, the handle is made out of an oak dowel, 1.25 inch if memory serves
@aprilrheacristin42668 ай бұрын
Sir it is okay to use 350W ebike motor hub?
@GenesGreenMachine8 ай бұрын
That should be fine!
@aprilrheacristin42668 ай бұрын
Thanks sir thats amazing rower. But Sir can i ask you about the wirring connections because my mine doesn't work, i guess i dont connect it properly.
@GenesGreenMachine8 ай бұрын
Take a look at this video, I walk through the wiring in pretty good depth. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKSskn2Vm8d0hJYsi=J97ROrzKCF9FVTW6 Email me at [email protected] if you have more questions or want to share pictures.
@aprilrheacristin42668 ай бұрын
Sir it is okay to use 350W ebike motor hub? Btw thank you Sir
@نسترنایراندوست9 ай бұрын
Hello What is the full specification of dc motor? Write the purchase link in the description. thank you.
@GenesGreenMachine9 ай бұрын
This will work: a.co/d/172AObE
@نسترنایراندوست9 ай бұрын
@@GenesGreenMachineThank you
@offgridburbia9 ай бұрын
Great video! Looks like you website id down. Do you have the detailed steps published somewhere else?
@GenesGreenMachine9 ай бұрын
Thank you! You can find steps here: www.instructables.com/OpenErg-Based-Erg-Rower-Generator/?amp_page=true
@maximmaxim5239 ай бұрын
Очумелые ручки👍👍👍👏
@eflowers830610 ай бұрын
Could you do this with a car battery? I had thought about building something that I could slot a bike into like this that would also fit in a car trunk. Would that even be possible? Or would I need more power to successfully charge that big of a battery?
@GenesGreenMachine10 ай бұрын
You can charge a car battery…. Very slowly.
@clebersoares12310 ай бұрын
very good! Do you know if it is possible to receive the power coordinates from the zwif and thus control a microservo to rotate the power lever of a spinning bike?
@GenesGreenMachine10 ай бұрын
Certainly possible. You could start with my Arduino code and tweak it to move a servo. I’ve never played with servos but sounds like fun!
@scotth194610 ай бұрын
Great work. Thank you and very clean presentation. Do you have a parts list of the items that you used? Thanks!
@GenesGreenMachine10 ай бұрын
I haven’t kept the links current, but take a look at the instructable I made, it has most of the links. www.instructables.com/Best-DIY-Bike-Trainer-Generator/?amp_page=true
@clydecycle10 ай бұрын
Awesome video. Thanks! Do you have a list of the parts that you used in this build, or links to them on amazon?
@GenesGreenMachine10 ай бұрын
In hindsight, this isn’t a great design unless you can find a more durable rubber wheel. For best efficiency I’d suggest the e-bike motor design I built. I’ve used that for many years with little to maintenance required. www.instructables.com/Exercise-Bike-Pedal-GeneratorHuman-Powered-Lipo-Ch/?amp_page=true
@ShafaqIftikhar-pw9ld10 ай бұрын
Loved the detail. Thankyou again for a great video!!!!!
@GenesGreenMachine10 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@ShafaqIftikhar-pw9ld10 ай бұрын
Very nice indeed. Love the whole concept. Thank you for the detailed video!!!!!!!
@GenesGreenMachine10 ай бұрын
My pleasure!
@melssf785210 ай бұрын
Hello this is so wonderful we have constant electricity issues in South Africa and some days solar can fail. Thank you for this video! I wanted to ask do you think this would be ok to connect to a portable power station like a bluetti
@GenesGreenMachine10 ай бұрын
Yes, absolutely! I do the same, lately I just charge a 50AH LifePO4 battery using a charge controller to moderate the resistance
@melssf78527 ай бұрын
Thanks so much. 😊I'm fully committing to making this now. Have the funds for the equipment thanks again truly grateful for the share its helped me beyond anything you have made this easy enough for me we have blackouts constantly and sometimes no sun so you literally helping me continue to work and feed my family ❤
@valdecirborgesdasilva637111 ай бұрын
Parabéns 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🙏🙏🙏
@balcerzaq Жыл бұрын
Footrests should not be moving! this makes unnatural movement.
@GenesGreenMachine Жыл бұрын
I’ve added a rod of All Thread through the foot rests, that way they can be locked in place, or be movable if desired.
@1minotm1 Жыл бұрын
Great job. I will try to use a car alternator and a battery.
@IvanRMtz3 Жыл бұрын
This is awesome! Electrical applications are not my specialty, so please, bear with me.. How come no alternator to battery to inverter setup? Is this better?
@GenesGreenMachine Жыл бұрын
Just my attempt at building a rower generator, I’m sure there are other ways to go about it.
@JhourladEstrella Жыл бұрын
Would a typical wind controller solve that problem of going over the 13v max charging limit?
@GenesGreenMachine Жыл бұрын
Yes, that should work. I have tried a simple solar controller, but dust didn’t work.
@sercero Жыл бұрын
Hey Gene, great idea gluing the diode bridge to the frame in order to dissipate the heat. Did you use a special glue?
@GenesGreenMachine Жыл бұрын
Best bet is to use thermal paste for better heat transfer amzn.to/3MGRjJg
@vottat Жыл бұрын
Excellent work
@jsepulveda7550 Жыл бұрын
WHAT A COOL IDEA!!!! Thanks for sharing.
@GenesGreenMachine Жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it!
@itanc1 Жыл бұрын
Nice build dood and thanks for sharing! Hoping you can help me? I want to use multiple sources to charge a battery bank. Wind, solar and rowing machine, mppt charge controller, lead acid leisure batteries and a range of loads. The controllers documentation does not say anything about multiple sources, do you know how? Cheers. Tanc
@GenesGreenMachine Жыл бұрын
Hi Tanc, I haven’t done what you are trying, but seems something like this charge controller would be a good choice: amzn.to/46HL9Rx
@martinsekerak6527 Жыл бұрын
Hi. I am interested of this pedal generator. I would like to make pedal generator for car slot racing. Is here someone who can help me with motors and electronic scheme. Thank you.
@GenesGreenMachine Жыл бұрын
That would be so cool! What voltage do those cars take?
@andrekroukamp140791 Жыл бұрын
Welldone !
@emperorkalel Жыл бұрын
Are you still using the bike? How is it running
@GenesGreenMachine Жыл бұрын
Through the winter months, I train on my exercise bike generator, affectionately known as Ugly Genny. On that generator, instead of an RC motor I use an e-bike motor with a custom cut flywheel. I’ve found that generator design to be more efficient by a noticeable margin over the other designs.
@iainstruthers3559 Жыл бұрын
@@GenesGreenMachine Hi Gene, I'm loving these videos, so glad they're still available and you're still active on these projects. I have not seen anyone else using an e-bike motor, but when I saw it I had a feeling it would be better than the RC AC motor! How much was the e-bike motor? Cheapest I can see locally is £150 but up to £400... but I will look again. I'm formulating a few ideas in my head, but I like the idea of really chasing after efficiency at all stages in conversion process. We'll see if that idea survives contact with reality! On that topic about the rectifier losses and using a DC motor, they also seem £300+. I haven't gotten a clear idea yet about power storage vs direct charger - more research needed. Have you quantified the efficiency difference between the RC and e-bike motors? Thanks for such brilliant resources and good luck with your next ideas!
@iainstruthers3559 Жыл бұрын
And the Makita accessories is a really cool idea!
@GenesGreenMachine Жыл бұрын
Looks like this comment got lost in the shuffle somehow, my apologies. Let me clarify on RC vs e-bike motor efficiency. Both motor designs are similarly efficient, but the pedal generator design of the RC motor builds add an extra point of contact (tire on roller for the bike trainer design, rubber wheel on flywheel with the spin bike design) that significantly increases friction losses. With the e-bike motor design, we eliminate those losses. My rough estimate on efficiency losses: 30% with e-bike design 100% with tire on trainer By this I mean it takes 130 watts of human input to produce 100 watts going into batteries with the e-bike design, accounting for losses in the pedal bearings, bottom bracket, chain, bridge rectifier and charge controller. With the tire on trainer, the added friction makes it so 200 watts of human input is required to put 100 watts into a battery. I hope this explanation helps!
@GenesGreenMachine Жыл бұрын
I’m looking to sell this if anyone is interested: www.ebay.com/itm/185829670222
@missy-bb Жыл бұрын
Finally my DPS works! It works so well! Finally! And the culprit was the tiny 25A fuse between the out+ and out-. I had to replace it several times and be very careful to solder it correctly. When burnt the diode next to it lights on red and the fuse needs to be replaced. The first time I replaced it I think I soldered it incorrectly and that's why I couldn't get current out. Now it works and I feel the resistance in my legs. I'm so happy now I can workout and charge my battery at the same time🤩
@GenesGreenMachine Жыл бұрын
Oh awesome! So glad you were able to get it working! I was hoping I had not steered you wrong, it always seems to be the simplest thing. How many watts are you getting?
@lancethrustworthy Жыл бұрын
Oh yeah, those Digital Phosphor Segments are great. Initials alienate. Figure it out.
@missy-bb Жыл бұрын
Finally my DPS works! It works so well! Finally! And the culprit was the tiny 25A fuse between the out+ and out-. I had to replace it several times and be very careful to solder it correctly. When burnt the diode next to it lights on red and the fuse needs to be replaced. The first time I replaced it I think I soldered it incorrectly and that's why I couldn't get current out. Now it works and I feel the resistance in my legs. I'm so happy now I can workout and charge my battery at the same time🤩
@KokoroDenshin Жыл бұрын
Im hyped with supercap lately, so much pedal energy wasted without them.
@kaceesavage Жыл бұрын
This is great!
@missy-bb Жыл бұрын
I've just received my brand new DSP 5020 and it's already dead! Hardly get a chance to use it something has burnt inside. This time I think I might know why.🤔 For first use, I connected the wires to my 12V lifePO4 battery just to do all my presets. Huge mistake! I connected the wires to the IN+ and IN- of the DPS and to the + and - of the battery. The DPS powered on and I did all my presets. Then I disconnected the wires and connected them to the OUT+ and OUT- of the DPS and + and - of the battery. But the DPS powered on exactly the same! the memory of this thing is such that it powered on as if the wires were still connected to the IN+ and IN-. I connected the other wires as same set up as yours and to the IN+ and IN- of the DPS but the DPS was already powered on. I started pedaling and no current out. Like my first unit. I could see U-IN 15+V but no current out. Then I disconnected all the wires. I connected again the wires to the OUT+ and OUT- of the DPS and + and - of the battery. The DSP powered on during 1 min then I saw a sparkle and the DPS stopped working definitely. Do you think the DPS is reverse charging when connected to a battery? Is it the pbm? Is it why I don't have current out?
@GenesGreenMachine Жыл бұрын
Wow, you can’t get a break! Honestly I’ve done exactly as you describe and have not had a problem with both a DPS5015 and a DPS5020. I think the only real difference is I put a switch between the battery and the DPS so I can turn on when I’m ready, and turn off so the battery doesn’t drain when I’m not using it. You could go as far as adding a blocking diode to prevent current from going from the battery to the DPS, that’s all I can really think of that might help.
@zoemamelin9171 Жыл бұрын
Hello I would like to make this as a washing machine, what do you think I should modifie ?
@GenesGreenMachine Жыл бұрын
Interesting idea, but I have no clue
@missy-bb Жыл бұрын
How does it come your DPS is already powered on before you even start pedaling? Me I have to pedal to power on my DPS and I have to do all the presets when pedaling. Maybe this is why my unit got damaged?
@GenesGreenMachine Жыл бұрын
The power from the battery will turn on the DPS. I put a switch between the DPS and battery in order to turn the DPS off when I’m not using.
@TheRandomVaper Жыл бұрын
Wasn't expecting to see the TV actually working with only the power supplied from the rower.
@nathanwest2304 Жыл бұрын
I already have a broken E-Scooter, some solar stuff and batteries, all I need now is a hometrainer, a rectifier and some way to mount the E-Scooter motor well, technically the rectifier is just for making the mounting easier, pretty sure that the "ideal diode" circuits I got in storage would be more efficient, but it's a bit cumbersome connecting 6 parts and 12 wires I didn't really ride a bike in well over a decade, basically I just wanna make use of the parts I got and the other stuff is pretty cheap
@Ris-v4w Жыл бұрын
wow nice !
@fiocco10 Жыл бұрын
the project is totally crazy however i love it 😅😂
@guillermodanielyiye2 жыл бұрын
Buenas tardes me parece linda la máquina hola lo único que cambiaría serían los hincapié porque no se hace la fuerza
@missy-bb2 жыл бұрын
Hello. I made the exact same setup as yours. But I don't understand why in my case it doesn't work. I can see the current going in, but no current out. I have the RD DPS5020 model, it is brand new and I really paid attention to not mistake in the wiring. I triple checked the + wire to the + and the - to the -. I have a 12V pedal generator and when I pedal even very low the DPS5020 lights on and I can see the voltage (U-IN) and I also can see the voltage of the battery it is hooked up to. Currently it displays 11.21V. I set it to max 14.9V and 07 amps (the battery is a 200ah LIFEPO4) . Unfortunately I can pedal I see there is no current going out to charge my battery. The amps and watts remain to 0 and I don't feel any resistance in my legs. What could be possibly wrong? Please I'd be glad you help me. Thanks.
@GenesGreenMachine2 жыл бұрын
Okay, assuming you are clicking the on/off button once you get started, is the input voltage high enough? The DPS needs 1.1x the output voltage to work.
@missy-bb2 жыл бұрын
@@GenesGreenMachine Yes I'm clicking the on/off button but according to what you're saying, I think the values I've set in the DSP are wrong because I don't know what means "the DPS needs 1.1x the output voltage". Can you explain or give me an example? I'm sorry I d'on't know anything in electricity!
@GenesGreenMachine2 жыл бұрын
No problem, I’ve been learning as I go, too! Here is an example: if I’ve set the output voltage to 14.6v, I need to spin the generator so that at least 16.06v (14.6 x 1.1) I’d coming into U-IN in order for the DPS to start charging the battery. What voltage does your U-IN read?
@missy-bb Жыл бұрын
@@GenesGreenMachine Yes that might be the problem! I've set up the output voltage to 14.9V, but when I pedal I see the U-IN values varying between 11V and 15V (it's a 12V pedal generator). Thanks a lot, I'd never figured that out myself!💛
@GenesGreenMachine Жыл бұрын
Glad to help! Are you able to get 16+ volts out of your generator?
@missy-bb2 жыл бұрын
Hello. I made the exact same setup as yours. But I don't understand why in my case it doesn't work. I can see the current going in, but no current out. I have the RD DPS5020 model, it is brand new and I really paid attention to not mistake in the wiring. I triple checked the + wire to the + and the - to the -. I have a 12V pedal generator and when I pedal even very low the DPS5020 lights on and I can see the voltage (U-IN) and I also can see the voltage of the battery it is hooked up to. Currently it displays 11.21V. I set it to max 14.9V and 07 amps (the battery is a 200ah LIFEPO4) . Unfortunately I can pedal I see there is no current going out to charge my battery. The amps and watts remain to 0 and I don't feel any resistance in my legs. What could be possibly wrong? Please I'd be glad you help me. Thanks.
@GenesGreenMachine2 жыл бұрын
Okay, assuming you are clicking the on/off button once you get started, is the input voltage high enough? The DPS needs 1.1x the output voltage to work.
@missy-bb2 жыл бұрын
@@GenesGreenMachine Yes I'm clicking the on/off button but according to what you're saying, I think the values I've set in the DSP are wrong because I don't know what means "the DPS needs 1.1x the output voltage". Can you explain or give me an example? I'm sorry I d'on't know anything in electricity!
@missy-bb2 жыл бұрын
Hello. I made the exact same setup as yours. But I don't understand why in my case it doesn't work. I can see the current going in, but no current out. I have the RD DPS5020 model, it is brand new and I really paid attention to not mistake in the wiring. I triple checked the + wire to the + and the - to the -. I have a 12V pedal generator and when I pedal even very low the DPS5020 lights on and I can see the voltage (U-IN) and I also can see the voltage of the battery it is hooked up to. Currently it displays 11.21V. I set it to max 14.9V and 07 amps (the battery is a 200ah LIFEPO4) . Unfortunately I can pedal I see there is no current going out to charge my battery. The amps and watts remain to 0 and I don't feel any resistance in my legs. What could be possibly wrong? Please I'd be glad you help me. Thanks.
@GenesGreenMachine2 жыл бұрын
Okay, assuming you are clicking the on/off button once you get started, is the input voltage high enough? The DPS needs 1.1x the output voltage to work.
@missy-bb2 жыл бұрын
@@GenesGreenMachine Yes I'm clicking the on/off button but according to what you're saying, I think the values I've set in the DSP are wrong because I don't know what means "the DPS needs 1.1x the output voltage". Can you explain or give me an example? I'm sorry I d'on't know anything in electricity!
@giorgiogroves2 жыл бұрын
It’s most likely to cycle oil through the engine and to drive off any moisture out of the crank case.
@GenesGreenMachine2 жыл бұрын
Makes sense, but why does it happen every day? The 3 Chevy Volts I had would do it every 6 months or so if the motor hasn’t run.